THE ATENEO Blue Eagles were outplayed by De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers in game two of the V-League Semifinals series, 21-25, 21-25, 21-25 earlier today at the Paco Arena in the City of Manila.
DLSU opened the match with great offensive rhythm, boasting a variety of attacks from the onset. Combination plays and backrow kills were utilized, putting pressure on the Ateneo net and floor defense, 13-8. Commanding court momentum, La Salle maintained their lead with Vince Maglinao eventually claiming the set with a clean cross-court hit, 25-21.
At the start of the second canto, Amil Pacinio and Jian Salarzon matched the DLSU attacking energy to deliver crucial kills for the Blue and White, keeping the contest at a deadlock at 8-8. However, due to the lack of an established block on Ateneo’s court, the lead would be quickly reclaimed by Noel Kampton with off-the-block points, 14-16. Despite efforts from setter James Licauco to maximize his attacking line, the Taft-based squad’s floor defense stood firm, successfully converting them to plays and thus taking another set, 25-21.
Looking to complete the sweep, La Salle’s Kampton continued to dominate over the Blue Eagles in the final frame, collecting points from the left wing to overwhelm Ateneo defenders, 9-11. The Blue Eagles struggled to contain the Green Spikers’ ace, until Salarzon used the DLSU blockade to earn check ball points for himself to keep within striking distance, 17-19. Rookie setter Enzo Gutierrez and Jett Gopio followed suit to lock in blocks to level the game, 20-20. However, DLSU blockers quickly responded to deny Katipunan a fourth set chance, shutting down Ken Batas and Arvin Garcia at the net, 25-21.
The Blue Eagles look to bounce back in the do-or-die match on Sunday, September 24, at 4:00 PM in the same venue, in hopes of booking their first-ever finals appearance in the V-League Collegiate Challenge.
Set Scores:
Ateneo-DLSU: 21-25, 21-25, 21-25
Box Scores:
Ateneo: Pacinio – 15, Batas – 11, Salarzon – 11, Gopio – 5, Gutierrez – 2 DLSU: Kampton – 26, Maglinao – 15, Ronquillo – 8, Del Pilar – 6, Layug – 5, Poquita – 1
